Leicester City have been the most impressive team in the EPL this season, winning 13 matches and losing only two so far, and are currently on top of the standings. One of their losses have been against Liverpool, who will be keen to do the double over Leicester as they square off at King Power Stadium for a huge clash on Tuesday.
Leicester have been in a dream run this season. Experts and critics have tipped them as one of the favourites for the title alongside Arsenal and Manchester City. Very few or rather no one would have predicted Leicester to top the EPL standings with 15 games to go for the season to end.
Leicester are in uncharted territory and are aware of the importance of their game against Liverpool. Both Arsenal and City are just three points away from the top. If the table toppers lose against Liverpool, Arsenal and City can tie on points provided the two teams also win their respective fixtures against Southampton and Sunderland.
Without a shadow of doubt, Leicester have deservedly topped the table with some quality performances against all sides in the competition. They play an entertaining brand of football, which can be established by their 42 goals in the league, second only to City. They are fun to watch with their counter-attacking display.
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have been their prolific scorers, scoring 16 and 13 goals respectively. If the duo gets their act going, they can trouble Liverpool defenders. Vardy has been destroying teams with his pace and clinical finishing in front of goal.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has to make some plans to deal with Vardy, who can win games on his own. Klopp, who rested a number of players during their FA Cup game against West Ham, as expected, will field his strongest team on Tuesday.
The Reds started the season with an objective of playing champions league football next season, but are not close enough to achieve their goals. They are presently in seventh place in the standings with 34 points and will have to improve their recent performances if they are to challenge for the top four spot.
They have some tough EPL games coming up, but none so tougher than Leicester.
"We have important games in the Premier League – we have only important games, especially now with an away game at Leicester, Sunderland and then Aston Villa. I think these three games [could] give a little sign of where we can go in this season. But even after these games, it's not over," Liverpool official website quoted Klopp as saying.
"Top four should always be a target, and so it is a target, but at the end I can't say I think we'll get there or I think we won't get there – only our performances will have influence on this situation. That's what we should be concentrated on."
Teams in the EPL have always found it tough to tackle players such as Vardy and Mahrez, who have a great understanding between them, which makes it worse for defenders in the league.
"We all know about the quality, especially our next opponents Leicester and their clear idea of their game, their clear style. It's difficult to play against, as most of the teams in the Premier League have felt when they've met them," Klopp said.
"We could speak about everybody in this team, but of course it's the football world is that we all talk about Mahrez and Vardy."
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri might be pleased to have such in-form players in his team, but the Reds have a problem of their own in the attacking front. They have not been able score goals despite dominating teams in the game. Their game in the final third has been lacking.
With Christian Benteke, who scored the all important goals to defeat Leicester at Anfield, misfiring and injuries to other strikers, Klopp has been playing Roberto Firmino as the false number nine. The same is expected to continue on Tuesday.
Irrespective of the formation Klopp opts for Leicester game, an entertaining game is on the cards with the home team starting as favourites.
Where to watch live
Leicester City vs Liverpool EPL clashis scheduled for 7:45 local time (1:15am IST, 2:45 am ET) start. Indian TV viewers can watch the mega clash on Star Sports 2/HDwith live streaming option on Starsports.com.
Unfortunately, there is no live Tv coverage of the match in the UK.
Viewers in the US can watch Leicester City vs Liverpool EPL match on NBC Sports, while the game can also be live streamed on NBC Live Extra.
Football fans in the African countries can watch Leicester City vs Liverpool EPL clashlive on Supersport 3 Africa.
